Guy guard



April 13, 1965 D. E. MOCK ETAL GUY GUARD Filed Feb. 5, 1963 m m O;K./ my VN 0 m m Hm mn mm M s o mm 5 United States Patent O 3,177,986 GUYGUARD Donald E. Mach, Corina, and Joseph Banner, Whittier, Calif.,assignors to Anjac Plastics, Inc., El Monte, Calit., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed Feb. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 256,461 ll Claim. (Ill 1893L5)This invention relates to a guy guard. In many cases when telephone orpower poles are erected they must be stabilized by guying them to theground with a steel cable or the like. These cables are secured to thepole adjacent to the top and are secured into the ground or other lowstructure by means of an anchor. When these cables are close to theground they are subject to abrasion from vehicles and must be protectedtherefrom. They are also dangerous in that they may have sharp edgesand/ or electric charges and they must be guarded to protect pedestriansadjacent thereto from these hazards. This invention relatos to aparticular form of such protection and concerns itself with a guardwhich embraces the guy wire.

It is an object of this invention to provide an economic guy guard whichhas features which protect both the guy wire and the pedestrians passingadjacent thereto.

It is another object of this invention to provide a guy guard havingsubstantial dielectric strength so that should the guy wire becomecharged due to electric leakage, lightning or faulty insulation, it willadequately protect the people coming in contact with the guard. It is another object to provide a guard Which is readily installed by unsklledhelp. The guard is adapted to be readily slipped on to the guy wire andtightened thereon.

It is another object of this invention to provide a guy guard which isreadily manufactured by making it from the extruded sections and isreadily assembled by having the portions slide upon each other. Theportions may also be rigidly assembled together by adhesive or bydeforming one or the other of the extruded portions.

Other objects will become readily apparent upon referring to theattached drawings in Which:

FIG. 1 is a general view showing the guy guard assembled on the guy wirewhich is secured to a pole;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the guy guard adjacent the guywire;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the guy guard;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through the guy guard along section 4-4of FIG. 2 adjacent one of the extruded sections within the guard;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section through the guy guard along section 55 ofFIG. 2 adjacent another type of section inserted in the guard;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section through the guy guard along section 66 ofFIG. 2 adjacent a wire clamp in the guard; and FIG. 7 is a longitudinalsection through the guy guard showing a diiferent arrangement ofinserted extruded element Within the main guard.

Referring now to the drawings in FIG. 1 a pole lll is shown inserted inthe ground 12 and stabilized by a guy wire 14. The guy wire is securedto the pole by means of a through bolt 16 or may be secured thereto bywrapping it around and clamping it to the pole. The lower end of the guywire 14 is anchored into the ground by means of a suitable ground screwanchor or a bolt in a concrete block. In some cases the lower end of theguy wire 14 may be secured to other low adjacent structures such asanother pole.

Installed upon the guy wire 14 is a guy guard 20. The guy guard iscomprised of a guard shell 22 and means to hold shell in proper positionupon the guy wire. As best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the guard shell 22is generally of U-shape with a substantially uniform cross sectionthrough the material. At the open side of the U the guard shell 22carries two retaining channels 24 and 26 formed by having the lower endof the guard shell shaped back into hook forms as indicated at 28 and30. The books 28 and 30 define the open side of the guard shell 22.Parallel to the open side, also extending longitudinally of the guardshell 22, are a pair of flanges 32 and 34. These flanges extend inwardlyfrom the guard shell 22 into the interior of the space defined by theshell.

The arrangement of the guard shell 22 is such that it is of uniformcross-section so that it may be extruded. It is cut oif from theextrusion die in suitable lengths and the ends may be left open in thesame manner as they were cut off, or one end may be partially closed byhot forming so that it more closely embraces the guy wire 14 as ishereinafter described. Cut off may be accom plished by any of theconventional cut off means such as flying shears, hot wire or sawing,depending upon the material used. It is contemplated that the preferredmaterial is polyvinyl chloride or another thermo-plastic of substantialdielectric strength and suitable mechanical properties. However, anyextrudable material could be used where it has the proper mechanicalrequirements. Aluminum and brass could very well be used whereconditions indicate. It is noted that the polyvinyl chloride type ofplastic is the preferred embodiment because of its considerablemechanical strength, its dielectric prop erties, and the fact that it isable to deform under load. This latter property and its advantages willbe described hereinafter.

Several types of guy wire engaging devices are adapted to be insertedwithin the guard shell 22 and retained therein by retaining channels 24and 26 as well as fianges 32 and 34. These wire engaging devices can beused in several different combinations to accomplish different purposes.FIG. 4 shows a wire engaging device in the form of a hook device 36.This device has a hook 38 into which the guy wire 14 is engaged, and itis provided with legs 40 and 42 which engage in the retaining channels24 and 26, respectively. The portion distal from the legs 40 and 42extends upward into the guard shell 22 past flanges 32 and 34 and isprovided with slots 44 and 46 which respectively embrace flanges 32 and34. By the structure the hook wire engaging device 36 is rgidly retainedin the guard shell 22 but still may slide longitudinally thereof. Thusit can readily be inserted into the guard shell from the end. It canthus be seen by the structure of legs engaging in the retaining channelsand slots engaging upon fianges that the hook wire engag ing device 36strongly resists forces which tend to pull it out of the open side ofthe guard shell 22. The hook itself, identified by number 33, is definedby wire engaging surfaces 48 and 50. These are arranged in such a mannerthat the wire when engaged in the hook lies ol of the symmetricalcenterline of guard shell 22. As shown in FIG. 4 the wire centerline isslightly to the left of the centerline of shell 22. The urging of thewire oil this centerline provides two important functions. First thehook 38 is thus shorter and has a lower bending mo ment to provide astronger structure. Holding the wire 14 off center in the guard shell atthis cross-section also provides for more rigid holding of the wiresince it does not go straight through the guard shell 22 from end toend, thus providing higher frictional forces.

FIG. 5 shows another wire engaging device in the form of a fork 52 Whichtends to hold the Wire away from the inner or closed side of guard shell22. The fork member 52 is provided with wire engaging surfaces 54 and 56arranged at an angle to each other. The juncture of the wire engagingsurfaces 54 and 56 may be in radius equal to or preferably smaller thanthe Patented Apr. 13, 1965 radius of the wire 14. The fork wire engagingdevice 52 has an outer periphery which extends upward into the innerportion of the guard shell 22 and engages thereupon throughoutsubstantially the entire inner surface. Slots 58 and 60 within fork wireengaging device 52 are arranged to engage upon the fianges 32 and 34respectively to thus secure the device 52 within the shell 22. Thisstructure is arranged in such a manner as to restrain the forces of thewire 14 acting upon the wire engaging device 52. Since the wire isthrust outward toward the open side of the guard shell 22 by means ofthe fork wire engaging device 52, the forces tend to press the device 52into the shell 22. A large arca of contact as well as flanges 32 and 34prevent deformation of the guard shell 22.

Both hook Wire engaging device 36 and fork wire engaging device 52 areof uniform cross-section so that they may be extruded. The particularconfiguration of these extrusions is dependent upon the economcs ofextrusion die, the extrusion material and the forces involved. Insofaras it is practical under these circum stances it is desirable to havethe Outer configuration of these wire engaging devices correspond to theinner wall of guard shell 22. Since they are of extrusion shapes thewire engaging device can be cut off at appropriate lengths for thecircumstances. Normally the length is very much shorter than the overalllength of guard shell 22. However, the length should be sufii cientlylong so that the wire engaging devices may slide longitudinally withinthe guard shell 22 without binding.

In the case of hook wire engaging device 36, it is not co-extensive withthe inner side of the guard shell 22 in the upper arca for no forces actthereupon. In the case of fork Wire engaging device 52 it is shown ashollow. In certain circumstances of extrusion such a configuration willbe most desirable economically. Since these devices are relatively shortthey may be die cast or molded should the circumstarices warrant.Polyvinyl chloride is the preferred material for it has bothconsiderable dielectric strength and is able to creep to the point whereit conforms to guide wire 14. However, aluminum or other extruded metalor plastic could be used in this application.

In FIG. 6 a clamp wire engaging device 60 is shown. This device isdesigned to both clamp the guy wire 14 and hold it within the guy guard20. Accordingly the clamp wire engaging device 60 is provided with legs62 and 64 which engage within the retaining channels 24 and 26respectively. These legs are coextensive with a clamping portion 66which engages against the flanges 32 and 34, thus restraining the clampwire engaging device 60 within the guard shell 22. As shown in thedrawing, the clamp wire engaging device 66 is made of heavy gauge metalsheet material formed to the inner configuration of that portion ofguard shell 22. It is pierced and tapped at 68 to provide threads intowhich bolt 70 is engaged. The bolt 70 carries a clamp memher 72 which isdesigned to cooperate with the clamp porton 66 to engage two strands ofthe guy wire 14. Normally the guy wire is brought downward fromthe poleand passed through an eye in the anchor 18. Thence it is brought upwardagain lying next to the downwardly extending strand and these twostrands are clamped within the clamp wire engaging device 70 as shown inFIG. 6. When the two strands of guy wire 14 are placed within the clamp,the bolt 70 is tightend providing firm securement to the anchor 18. Inview of the fact that this device is the main clamp for the guy wire itmay preferably be made out of heavy gauge sheet material as describedabove, but in some circumstances die castings or extrusions of metal orplastic would be feasible.

The several wire engaging devices can be nserted in various combinationswithin the guard shell 22 to form different styles of guy guard 20depending on the circumstances. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an assembly where onecombination is inserted therein. This is a combination wherein hook wireengaging device 36 is inserted in the guard shell 22 toward itsright-hand end as seen in the drawing, a fork Wire engaging device 52 isinserted next to the left and a clamp wire engaging device 60 isinserted within the shell 22 toward the left-hand end. In actualpractice the wire engaging device 36 may be se cured into the guardshell 22 by adhesive or by deforming the fianges 32 and 34 or the hooks28 and 30 to hold it securely therein. In use the guy wire 14 isthreaded through the eye of anchor 18 and is clamped with a clamp wireengaging device 60. Thereupon the guard shell carrying one hook wireengaging device 36 and one fork wire engaging device 52 is engaged overthe guy wire 14 in such a position that the lower end of the guard shellis above the clamped device 60. Engagement is managed by twisting theguy guard over the guy wire 14 whereupon the guy wire snaps into thehook 38. The guy guard Zi) is then slid downwardly upon the guy Wire Mand is engaged over the clamp wire engagng device 6ti as shown. Frictioncharacteristics are such that the fork wire engaging device 52 isstationary relative to the wire and hook wire engaging device 36 issecured by adhesive or other means to a guard shell 22 and accordinglymoves therewith. When the guy guard is moved downwardly on the guy wire14, there is relative motion between the wire engaging devices 36 and 52to eflect that they become closer to each other thus bending the wireand causing tightening. This result can also be accomplished by securingfork wire engaging device 52 in the guard shell 22 and driving the hookwire engaging device 36 in the shell 22 toward device 52. This increasesthe load of the wire upon the wire engaging devices and tightens the guywire. When in the installed position the load of the guy wire 14 uponthe wire engaging devices causes the plastic to creep to the point wherefull engagement is provided. A slight creep deflecton occurs also uponthe retaining channels 24 and 26 and flanges 32 and 34 so that in aperiod of time the entire structure becomes relatively rigid.

FIG. 7 shows another arrangement of several wire engaging devices withinthe guard shell 22. Observing the drawing from right to left, near theright end of the guard shell 22 is seen a hook wire engaging device 36.Next to the left are two fork Wire engaging devices 52 and near the leftend of the guard shell 22 is another hook wire engagng device 36. Thewire engaging devices are arranged in pairs near the ends of the guardshell 22. In this case if the right-hand wire engaging device in eachpair is secured to the guard shell 22 and the guard shell is slid to theleft as shown in FIG. 7, tightening of the Wire again occurs. It can beseen from this figure that several combinations of wire engaging deviceswithin the shell are possible to securely hold the guy guard on the guywire. As a minimum number of the types of devices shown in FIGS. 4 and5, three such devices are necessary, and they must be of both types.When three are used the one in the center must be different from theother two. The hook wireengaging device 36 may be placed either in thecenter or with one. at each end and the fork wire engaging device 52would be placed in the other position. As indicated in FIG. 7 more maybe used but three is a minimum of this type of wire engagng device.However, in some cases it may be desirable to use two clamp wireengaging devices. In this case both would be clamped.to the guy wire 14and the guard shell 22 slid thereover., This also provides a securearrangement of the guy guard 20 with respect to the guy wire 14.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it isnoted that it is susceptible to various modie) fications and changes.The following claim defines the scope of the invention.

We claim:

A guy guard adapted to protect a guy wire, said guy guard comprising aguy guard shell of substantial length in the direction of the guy wirewhich said guy guard is intended to protect, said guy guard shell havingcross section at right angles to its length of curved configurationhaving an open side to thus define a guy guard shell having an externalsurface, an internal surface and first and second edges, said edgesbeing spaced a suflicient distance from each other so as to permit entryof a guy wire therein for the protection of the guy wire, inturned hooksformed at each of said edges so as to define a retaining channel alongthe length of said guy guard shell at each of said edges thereof, firstand second flanges formed on the interior surface of said guy guardshell and extending along the length thereof and facing each other sothat said first and second flanges substantially lie in a single planewhich is substantially parallel to a plane along the against saidinterior surface between said hook and said flange on each interior sideof said guy guard shell, said main member having a clamp portionextending between and integral with said first and second legs, saidmain member being positioned within said guy guard shell so that saidfirst and second legs are respectively positioned in said channels andsaid clamp portion is positioned adjacent said first and second flangesso as to maintain said legs in said channels, a clamp member positionedbetween said legs, and a perforation through said clamp member and saidclamp portion, a bolt having ends and positioned through saidperforations so as to be adapted to clamp a guy Wire between said clampplate and said clamp portion, said ends of said bolt being posi tionedwithin said guard shell.

References Cted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 874,834 12/07Copping 174-136 X 1,971,477 8/ 34 Blackburn 18931.5 2,003,959 6/35 St.John 18931.5 2,055,825 9/36 Miller et al. 18931.5 2,871,282 1/59 Tipsordet al. 174-5 3,057,443 10/62 Schlein 18932 JOHN F. BURNS, PrimaryExaminar. JOHN P. WILDMAN, Examiner.

